What about Panelized homes? Read this!

[Marty Peltier]

I had spent many months trying to find just the right home to build.

I went from Manufactured to Modular and back to Manufactured looking for the most bang (and home) for my hard earned buck.

I have looked at dozens of manufacturer and hundreds of floorplans. I can spout specs at will.

A good friend was giving me a deal of 5% over invoice for a Manufactured or Modular home as he sold both. I picked out a plan and was ready to sign.

Right down to the wire, I was days from signing on the dotted line when I finally found the home of my dreams at the right price.

I found a 2200 sq ft Panelized colonial that is one of those homes that when you drive by you might say "what if I can afford that". Well I found out that I can get that house for less than $40 per sq ft plus foundation.

It is only about $10,000 more than the Manufactured and cheaper than the Modular at the same square footage and that is with the incredible deal I was getting from my friend.

Which equates to less than the cost of what most of you will pay or have paid for your homes. This is with all the upgrades. (2 x 6 sidewalls, full drywall, ect.)

And It appraises MUCH higher.

I am not saying this is for everyone because there is more work by the buyer and construction takes longer, but some of you may benefit.

[Tracey]

What state are you in?

[Marty Peltier]

I am in Michigan, the Panelized builder is in Verginia.

[Myra]

For someone who wants to build anyway, they seem like a good deal. Seeing as how they are more expensive than MH, though, and some of us would be cutting it close to even afford a well-built MH, they are not a viable option for everyone considering MH.

The only ones I could find anything about on the Internet were Four-Leaf Homes, a division of Deltec, I believe it was. They only have one style available, though, in several sizes. It is a nice-looking home, but not exactly my style...kind of a beach-house look.

It seems that alternative building methods such as panelized and modular are not very popular, and therefore available, in the South. Why is that? It is so frustrating. And, as we discussed before, the more stylish MH cannot be found in the South, either. Are we really that backward? Or do manufacturers just think we are? *sigh*

[Marty Peltier]

Well Myra, I lived in Louisiana for several years and there is definately a different breed of person living in the swamps. but most southerners are just a little more laid back then most others I know (midwesterners).

I think the eyecandy is just as important to southerners but I also think there is maybe more disposable income in other area's of the country. Therefore manufacturers may market the more expensive models toward that disposable income.

[Marty Peltier]

Also, I have been able to pull down information on about a dozen panelized builders around the country and most are more expensive then MH's.

Except the builder I am going with. The pricing is very competetive with the nicer MH's for the same square footage and the finish is more flexible because you finish it yourself.

And the pricing I am talking of is an estimated "finished home" price.

I will have a final cost in a few months that I will be happy to publish.

[rmurray]

Sounds like a Jim Walter type home...That finish it yourself..can mean a lot of money...Things like carper, appliances, bath fixtures, light fixtures..cabinets, counters...These all run more money then the foundation...Most folks do not have enought cash to do these things themselves...

Actually a panalized home is no more than a roof and walls...far from a home..

[Marty Peltier]

My budget for finishing the home with plenty of eye candy is complete and do-able.

Again, it is a lot more work but my point for publishing in this forum is to let people out there know that under the right circumstances, there is another very viable option.

[Mrs X]

Myra - the image of Southerners as backwards, ignorant types is promoted by TV and the liberal press. The same folks who talk up "diversity" somehow don't include Southerners in the diversity mix. I could expand on this subject, but don't want to invoke the wrath of the Forum's Hall Monitor (I've forgotten that guy's name now). I agree with you - I'd love to have a manufactured home like the ones featured on the Karsten (for instance) website, but they're not available here. So until they are, I reckon I'll jest hafta keep livin' in my tarpaper shack and sleepin' with Uncle Bubba.

Yores trooly,

Mrs. X

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[Mary Deats]

Have a look at this website and the floor plans...they look great! I am esp. intrigued by their 'expansion' ranch models, with the additional living space in the basement.

http://www.panelized-homes.com

-Mary Deats